Debates- Tuesday, 11th November, 2008

DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE SECOND SESSION OF THE TENTH ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 11th November, 2008

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

________

OATH OF ALLEGIANCE

The following Members took and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance:

Samuel Chitonge

Mark Cletus Kanungwe Mushili

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

___________

ANNOUNCEMENT

ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that I have received communication from the Government to the effect that Hon. G. W. Mpombo, MP, Minister of Defence, has been appointed Acting Leader of Government Business in the House.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

__________

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

The Minister of Defence (Mr Mpombo): Mr Speaker, I rise to give the House some idea of the business it will transact this week. However, before I do this, let me heartily welcome all the hon. Members to the end of year meeting of the House. In particular, I wish to welcome the three new hon. Members of Parliament who are joining us following by-elections which were held in October, 2008.

Mr Speaker, let me now turn to the business the House will deal with this week. Today, Tuesday, 11th November, 2008, the Business of the House, as indicated on the Order Paper, will begin with Questions for Oral Answer. Thereafter, the House will consider a Motion to adopt the Report of the Committee on Delegated Legislation.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, 12th November, 2008, the Business of the House will begin with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. After that, the House will consider Private Members’ Motions, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will consider two Motions to adopt the following Committee Reports:

(a) Committee on Legal Affairs, Governance, Human Rights and Gender Matters; and

(b) Committee on Information and Broadcasting Services.

On Thursday, 13th November, 2008, the Business of the House will begin with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will consider three Motions to adopt the following Committee Reports.

(a) Committee on Economic Affairs and Labour;

(b) Committee on Energy, Environment and Tourism; and

Mr Speaker, on Friday, 14th November, 2008, the Business of the House will begin with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. The House will then consider two Motions to adopt Committee Reports as follows:

(a) Committee on Local Governance, Housing and Chiefs Affairs; and

(b) Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs.

Thereafter, the House may consider any other business that might have been presented to it earlier in the week.

I thank you, Sir.

__________

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

NUMBER OF REGISTERED MULTI-PURPOSE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN LUMEZI PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

371. Mr I. Banda (Lumezi) asked the Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives:

(a) how many registered multi-purpose co-operative societies were currently in Lumezi Parliamentary Constituency; chiefdom by chiefdom;

(b) how many of the registered co-operative societies at (a) above benefited from the Fertilizer Support Programme during the following farming seasons:

(i) 2006/2007; and
(ii) 2007/2008.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives (Mr Kalenga): Mr Speaker, there are sixty-five co-operative societies under Lumezi Constituency in Lundazi District distributed as follows:

Chief Number of Co-operative Societies

(a) Zumwanda 35;

(b) Mwasephangwe 12;

(d) Kazembe 03;
(e) Chitungulu 02;

(f) Mwanya 01

Total 65

In total, forty-six registered co-operatives benefited from the Fertilizer Support Programme (FSP) during the two farming seasons. Thus, twenty-one co-operatives benefited from the Fertilizer Support Programme during the 2006/2007 farming season and twenty-five co-operative societies during the 2007/2008 farming season. The beneficiaries are broken down as follows:

Chief 2006/2007 Season 2007/2008 Season

Mwasephangwe 04 06

Chikomeni 05 06

Zumwanda 10 10

Kazembe 01 01

Chitungulu 01 01

Mwanya - 01

Total 21 25

I thank you, Sir.

Mr I. Banda: Mr Speaker, looking at the low figures of fertilizer distribution for the chiefdoms in the valley areas of Lumezi Constituency, does the Government have any deliberate plan …

Dr Scott: On a point of order, Sir!

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Dr Scott: Mr Speaker, I seek your serious guidance on matters touching on the constitutionality of this gathering.

We have heard that the Government has appointed Mr George Mpombo to act as Leader of Government Business in the House. To act for who, Sir? To act for a non-existent person? I understand that if the Leader of Government Business in the House is engaged in very important duties, someone may act for him/her. However, when there is no substantive Leader of Government Business in the House, the question of acting falls away.

Sir, related to this, is the question of the status of ministers such as the hon. Ministers of Agriculture and Co-operatives, the two or four of them. They have not been appointed or sworn in under this presidency. Is it an inherited status like that of chief? Likewise, the Nominated hon. Members of Parliament were nominated by the last President, may his soul rest in peace. Their nominations have not been confirmed so far as I know by the present President.

Therefore, I seek your serious guidance because we, in the Patriotic Front (PF), would not wish to be a part of improper proceedings.

I seek you guidance, Sir.

PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: I wish to guide the House as follows with regard to the point of order which has been raised by the hon. Member of Parliament for Lusaka Central.

Constitutionally, every five years, the people of the Republic of Zambia are required to go for what is known as a General Election. This comprises Local Government Elections, Parliamentary Elections and the Presidential Election. These are commonly known as Tripartite Elections, which is Latin for doing three things at one time.

What the people of Zambia did on October, 30, this year was to carry out one of those three elections, that is, the Presidential Election.

Please, note that the Cabinet was not dissolved. There was the Acting President, whom all of you know, who carried on the functions of the Head of State, up to and including on the day of the Presidential Election. Cabinet from the October 30 elections continues until dissolved if the current Head of State so wishes.

Please, also note that where you have proper systems in place, the Government or Executive, such as we have here, continues irrespective of the vacancy that may exist within that particular Executive.

Therefore, though it may not be visible to you, so to speak, the position of the Leader of Government Business in the House does exist and continues as notified from time to time. That position will not necessarily be held by the Vice-President. It can be held by any of the senior ministers here. In this particular case, the hon. Minister of Defence is one of the senior ministers.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: With regard to the duality regarding the position of Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives, this is not new. This fact was made known a long time ago. If any hon. Member of Parliament wished to raise the issue, they should have raised it months ago. Perhaps, the difference is that you now see both of them over there.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: They are both entitled to be there and will be there until the appointing authority decides otherwise, if at all he does so.

With regard to the third part of the point of order, since Parliament was not dissolved and we did not go for Parliamentary Elections, all your positions continue, including those held by Nominated hon. Members of Parliament, until the appointing authority decides otherwise.

May the hon. Member for Lumezi continue.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr I. Banda: Looking at the low figures of fertilizer distribution to my constituency, does the Government have any deliberate plans to construct sheds for the storage of fertilizer and maize so that farmers can access these inputs at nearby points? Currently, farmers have to travel 120 kilometers in order to access the inputs.

The Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives (Mr Kapita): Mr Speaker, the Government, through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), is already building new storage facilities. Hon. Kabinga Pande, did open, on our behalf, one such shed in Kasempa.

Mr Speaker, we are building storage facilities under the FRA. In fact, there are many more storage facilities coming up throughout the country, as we signed for funding from China.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.{mospagebreak}

REBUILDING OF THE CO-OPERATIVE BUILDING IN LUAMPA PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

372. Ms Limata (Luampa) asked the Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives when the co-operative building, which collapsed several years ago in Luampa Parliamentary Constituency, would be rebuilt.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives (Mr Kalenga): Mr Speaker, The Government recognises that co-operatives are autonomous member driven entities. When they put up structures, which include buildings, the responsibility of maintenance and rehabilitation lies entirely under the co-operative’s management. They will have to raise their own resources to maintain such structures or seek funding from financial institutions.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

PROVISION OF DESKS TO SCHOOLS IN LUAMPA PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

373. Ms Limata (Luampa) asked the Minister of Education when the following schools in Luampa Parliamentary Constituency would be provided with desks:

(a) Milumbwa Basic School;

(b) Mwandasengo Basic School;

(d) Lenvu Basic School;

(e) Namasheshe Basic School;

(f) Mukunkike Basic School;

(g) Mbale Basic School;

(h) Kanyenze Basic School;

(i) Luampa High School; and

(j) Lui Basic School.

The Deputy Minister of Education (Mr Sinyinda): Mr Speaker, the ministry will, this year, procure 370 double-seater desks for Kaoma District. The District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) office in Kaoma will allocate these desks according to the needs of each school.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Limata: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister is merely repeating what he said last year. What I would like to know is when he will bring the desks into my constituency.

The Minister of Education (Prof Lungwangwa): Mr Speaker, we mentioned the same thing because procurement of desks is a continuous process which we do every year. That is why we are saying that we are in the process of procuring those desks which will be made available to the schools that the hon. Member has mentioned.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Kakoma (Zambezi West): Mr Speaker, may I find out from the hon. Minister of Education how the pupils are sitting and learning in the absence of desks.

Prof Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, if the hon. Member cared to visit the various schools during the just passed presidential elections, he would have seen for himself some of the improvisation that takes place in our schools. However, as the Government and the ministry in particular, we have taken measures to address the situation. We know very well that the country requires 265,000 desks. This year, we are procuring 25, 000 desks. Measures are currently in place to ensure that the shortfall is addressed within the shortest possible time.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Ntundu (Gwembe): Mr Speaker, the hon. Member for Luampa asked the hon. Minister to explain why the desks were not being procured when the money was released. If you did not bother to check in the yellow book in this year’s Budget, the money for the procurement of desks for the Western Province is there. Can the hon. Minister explain where that money is. That was the question the hon. Member asked.

Laughter

Mr V. Mwale: Bayambako.

Prof Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, Hon. Ntundu is putting words in the mouth of the hon. Member who asked the question …

Laughter

Prof Lungwangwa: … and his interpretation might be wrong.

Mr Speaker, we have just explained that the ministry is currently procuring 25,000 desks and that is where the money which is in the Budget has gone.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

PRODUCTION, EXPORT AND LOCAL CONSUMPTION OF KAWAMBWA TEA
SINCE 2004

374. Dr Chishya (Pambashe) asked the Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives:

(a) how many tonnes of tea the Kawambwa Tea Company had produced since 2004; and

(b) how much of the tea at (a) above was exported and how much was consumed locally.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives (Mr Kalenga): Mr Speaker, Kawambwa Tea Company has produced the following tonnes of tea:

Year Production (Mt)
Made tea

2004 1,186.699
2005    971.058
2006    748.155
2007    785.941

Total 3,691.853

Mr Speaker, the amount of made tea exported and consumed locally during the period above is:

Year Exports (Metric Local Consumption
Tonnes) (Metric Tonnes)

2004 988.655 249.272

2005 725.569 199.678

2006 484.095 132.107

2007 596.912 158.081

Total 2,795.231 739.138

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Dr Chishya: Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister confirm to this House that this company is viable although most of its workers have not been paid for some months because they are claiming that it is less productive than it was.

The Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives (Ms Sayifwanda): Mr Speaker, I would like to inform this august House that Kawambwa Tea Company is a private company. This fourth Government recognises the importance of private-sector participation in governance. That is why we have incorporated the private sector. It is true that the company has been experiencing managerial problems and the issues that the hon. Member has raised are also true. However, it is the duty of the board and management of this company to look into these issues. Our duty, as a Government, is to give guidance. Otherwise, all administrative issues are the responsibility of the board and management.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr C. K. B. Banda, SC (Chasefu): Mr Speaker, may the hon. Minister tell the House whether the privatization of Kawambwa Tea Company was successful. If it was, how was it successful?

Ms Sayifwanda: Mr Speaker, the Kawambwa Tea Company was successfully privatized.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Sayifwanda: That is why the company is still in existence. If it was not successfully privatized, it would not have taken off.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwansa (Chifunabuli): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has said that the board is the body responsible for the problems of the workers. Could she inform this House what the position of the Government would be where the people of Zambia, particularly the workers in private companies, are not being paid, and yet the company is exporting tea and profits are being realised? What is the rationale behind this?

Ms Sayifwanda: Mr Speaker, the fourth Government, under the able leadership of His Excellency, Mr Rupiah Banda, …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Sayifwanda: … recognises the importance of the private sector. As I have already stated, all administrative issues are supposed to be handled by the board and Kawambwa Tea Company management. The ministry’s role is to ensure that all private companies that are dealing in agricultural products are faring well. In this case, my ministry has ensured that Kawambwa Tea Company is operational. Where there are pitfalls, they can report to the ministry. The ministry will look into the issues rather than the ministry going to look for problems in the company.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ngoma (Sinda): Mr Speaker, following the production levels which have continuously gone down coupled with the issue of workers not being paid for months on end, would it not be prudent for this Government, if it were responsible, to intervene in this matter so that we help in the reduction of poverty in Luapula Province?

Ms Sayifwanda: Mr Speaker, I already stated that this company is entirely a private company. It is not a Government company and, therefore, the Ministry of Agricultural and Co-operatives has nothing to do with whatever issues that are taking place there.

I thank you, Sir.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Next question!

Hon. Government Member: He is not in the House!

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Mfuwe is not in the House.

Hon. Government Members: He is a rebel!

Mr Speaker: He is not in the House and question 375 lapses.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Next question, hon. Member for Mfuwe!

Hon. Government Members: He is gone!

Mr Speaker: He cannot be back so soon.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Question 376 has lapsed.{mospagebreak}

FOREST CONCESSION LICENCES

377. Mr Mwapela (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources:

(a) when the ministry would stop the continued issuance of forest concession licences to foreign investors which has retarded the growth of the timber industry, promoted capital flight and inhibited foreign exchange earnings; and
(b) whether the ministry had any deliberate plans to encourage foreign investors to build factories for manufacturing timber products for the local and export markets.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources (Mr Chilembo): Mr Speaker, I would like to inform the House that Zambia is an open market economy and all investors, local and foreign, are welcome to invest provided they satisfy the legal and procedural requirements.

Sir, it is the Government’s policy to encourage foreign investors in the country to set up manufacturing industries for value addition to timber products. For this reason, export of round wood or cants of timber is not allowed. For cants to be exported, they have to meet the specifications of rail sleepers and must have two holes drilled on both ends.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker: Do you have a follow up question, hon. Member for Kalabo Central?

Mr Mwapela: Mr Speaker, there is no follow up question.

LUKONA HEALTH CENTRE

378. Mr Mwapela asked the Minister of Health when Lukona Health Centre in Kalabo Central Parliamentary Constituency would be provided with the following:

(a) an ambulance;

(b) a mortuary;

(d) drugs.

The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Puma): Mr Speaker, Lukena Health Centre is situated 120 kilometres from Kalabo Boma near the border with Angola.

Mr Speaker: Order! Could you look at the question again, please. Is it Lukena or Lukona?

Hon. Government Members: Lukona!

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Sir, Lukona Health Centre is situated 120 kilometres from Kalabo Boma near the border with Angola. The centre is a Stage I centre with a population of 4,086. The district runs a centralised referral system where each health centre is installed with a radio communication facility and provided with a motor bike and bicycles. In case of patients who require first level specialised services, the health centre calls for an ambulance from the District Health Office and the vehicle is then dispatched to collect the patients.

Sir, the health centre staff, working in conjunction with the Health Centre Advisory Committee representing the community, has the mandate to plan for services like mortuary services, if they find it necessary. In addition, infrastructure funding has been decentralised to the district level, in which case, the district can plan to provide mortuary buildings at Lukona if the people include it on the priority list. X-ray services are available at Kalabo District Hospital where those needing the service are referred to.

Sir, Lukona Health Centre, like any other centre in the district, receives drug kits from the district pharmacy on a monthly basis. However, a budget for emergencies and supplementary drugs is available at the district health office and purchases are done centrally on a quarterly basis and supplied to all health centres, including Lukona Health Centre.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mwapela: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that even the motorbike which he is talking about has been retrieved from the rural health centre? Is he also aware that Lukona Rural Health Centre used to have an ambulance which was also retrieved? Therefore, when are they going to give the centre an ambulance?

The Minister of Health (Dr Chituwo): Mr Speaker, yes, we are aware of that. We are still in the process of allocating motorbikes and ambulances where they are not available and replacing them where they were available.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chongo (Mwense): Mr Speaker, as regards the provision of x-ray equipment, what guarantee is there that if you equip Lukona Clinic with x-ray equipment, you are going to provide manpower, unlike what is happening in many clinics like Musanu Clinic in Mwense Constituency, that has been provided with modern x-ray equipment …

Mr Speaker: Order! You are debating. What is your question?

Mr Chongo: Mr Speaker, what is the Government going to do in situations where equipment has already been provided, but there is no manpower to operate it?

Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Health has continued the process of recruitment and posting of health workers to health facilities throughout the country. Where we have provided a facility like x-ray equipment, clearly, in our planning process, the equipment goes with the skilled trained worker. Currently, we have reached a 32,000 mark in terms of recruitment and replacement of staff. Our target, as I earlier stated, is to reach 51,000 health workers in order for us to provide the fairest minimum quality health services throughout the country.

I thank you, Sir.

LODGES IN LUMEZI PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

379. Mr I. Banda asked the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources:

(a) how many tourist lodges were in Lumezi Parliamentary Constituency, name by name;

(b) how many local people and foreigners were employed in the lodges at (a) above; and

(c) whether the lodges above supported social and economic activities in their local communities and, if so, what they were.

Mr Chilembo: Mr Speaker, the tourist lodges in Lumezi Parliamentary Constituency, name by name, are Luambe Lodge in Luambe National Park and Wild Bush Camp in Lumimba Game Management Area (GMA) in Chief Mwanya’s area.

Sir, the number of local people and foreigners employed in the lodges at (a) above are:

(a) approximately fifty local people and two foreign nationals are employed at Luambe Lodge in Luambe National Park;

(b) two foreign managers are employed at the lodge in Luambe National Park;

(c) approximately twenty local people and no foreign national are employed at Wild Bush Camp in Lumimba Game Management Area in Chief Mwanya’s area.

(d) no foreigners are employed at the Wild Bush Camp.

Sir, the lodges support social and economic activities in their local communities and these include the following:

Garden Club

Families in Nthumbe Village in Chitungulu grow vegetables which are bought by Luambe Lodge.

Carpentry Club

The lodge facilitated a donation of full carpentry kit from a German company and six men were supported and are now working to make furniture for the local people, schools and the lodge.

Tigwirizane Women’s Club

The members of the club produce beads, bracelets and necklaces which are sold to the lodge. The lodge has also supported the club members through the donation of materials they need for their work.

Community Schools Support

Donations of pens, books, chalk and other learning materials have been made to local community schools. A basic salary is also paid to the volunteer teachers at these schools. Pupils are also given game drives in the park.

Medical Reach-out

With the permission of the Ministry of Health, a group of doctors called ‘Medical Reach-Out’ were brought in with the support of Luangwa Wilderness E. V. and the Community Resource Board to give free medical care to community members of Chitungulu. These doctors were in the area for five days and a total of 950 patients were attended to.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr I. Banda: Mr Speaker, money that is given to the Community Resource Boards (CRBs) is part of Government revenue. I wonder whether the Government makes any audit to find out how and on what projects this money is being used.

The Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources (Mr Kaingu): Mr Speaker, it is clear that the hon. Member of Parliament has completely diverted from his question. His question also makes me wonder whether he visits his constituency because this question was supposed to be answered by him. He cannot come to this House to ask us how many lodges are in his constituency. He is supposed to know.

Laughter

Mr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, as for CRB money, I have explained before how this money is shared and I will do so again. Fifty per cent of the money is given to the CRB for projects. The money that we are concerned about is the 40 per cent that goes to Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA). The remaining10 per cent goes to the Government.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr C. K. B. Banda, SC: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister telling this House that his ministry has nothing to do with the licensing of these lodges?

Mr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, the State Counsel is aware that my ministry, through the Zambia National Tourism Board (ZNTB), licenses these lodges. The hon. Member owns a lodge and he knows because we have visited him before.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

PROVISION OF GRANTS TO WATER UTILITY COMPANIES COUNTRYWIDE

380. Mr Katuka (Mwinilunga East) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing whether the Government had any plans to provide grants to water utility companies countrywide in order to enhance their operations and improve service delivery.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Tetamashimba): Mr Speaker, firstly, I would like to congratulate you on being the first Speaker to serve three Presidents …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order! Answer the question.

Laughter

Mr Tetamashimba: Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that the Government has been providing grants to all the water utility companies in order to improve their operations in service delivery.

Mr Speaker, in the year 2007, the Government disbursed K9 billion to the ten water utility companies to improve the supply of clean water to the communities. The breakdown is as follows:

Utility Company Purpose of Amount(K)
Disbursement

Lusaka                                                       To cover areas of Kafue,              1,000,000,000
                                                                   Chongwe and Luangwa

Chipata                                                       To cover smaller towns of           730,000,000
                                                                  Chama, Lundazi, Katete and
                                                                   Petauke

Kafubu To attend to sewerage problems 1,000,000,000
in Ndola

Mulonga To deal with Mufulira problems 900,000,000

Nkana Sanitation in Wusakile 1,000,000,000

North-Western Problems of Chavuma and 1,000,000,000
expanding Solwezi

Southern Meeting shortfall of funding in 1,000,000,000
Mazabuka, Siavonga, Lusitu, etc

Western Improving water supply in 730,000,000
Shangombo

Chambeshi Township water supply in 740,000,000
Kasama, Mpika and Nakonde

Lukanga Attending to Mulungushi Water 900,000,000
Works

Mr Speaker, in addition, several co-operating partners such as the German Government, the World Bank, the African Development Bank (ADB), the Arab Bank for Economic Development (ABDEA) and the Royal Danish Government have provided funds to the Government of Zambia to support the various utilities to improve water supply and sanitation as follows:

Co-operating Partner Amount Area
(US$)

(i) World Bank $23 million Lusaka Province

(ii) BADEA                                          $10 million                                 Mbala,
                                                                                                             Kasama,
                                                                                                            Kawambwa,
                                                                                                             Mansa
                                                                                                             Chililabombwe

(iii) ADB $20 million Central province

(iv) KFW (German Agency) $25 million Eastern Province

(v) DANIDA                                           $10 million                              All councils in
                                                                                                             Western, Itezhi-Tezhi
                                                                                                             and Namwala in
                                                                                                             Southern Province

Mr Speaker, all this is because the Government is committed to providing universal access to clean water and sanitation by 2030 and meeting the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to halve the number of people without water and sanitation by the year 2015, including Mwinilunga East.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka): Mr Speaker, regarding the big figures that the hon. Minister has given us in relation to Government expenditure and the co-operating partners’ contribution to the water sector, can the hon. Minister tell this House and the nation how much money is required for this sector to meet the water demands of the ever-growing population of this country.

Mr Tetamashimba: Mr Speaker, obviously that is a new question. We need to research because it is not possible for me to come up with an answer to a question that is so technical in terms of figures. If he had asked how the money that I talked about is being utilised, I would have been able to answer. The question he has asked is a new one.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Chongo: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what plans they have, as a ministry, for provinces that do not have water utility companies like Luapula. Are they considering giving grants to councils, in addition to the general grants that they already give, to focus on run-down water infrastructure in the districts?

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Dr Kazonga): Mr Speaker, as part of its strategies, the Government is using the formation of water utility companies to improve water supply and sanitation in urban and peri-urban areas. In rural areas, we are still using the local authorities to provide clean drinking water and improve the sanitation facilities.

Mr Speaker, as a direct response to his question, yes, as part of its overall strategy, the Government is in the process of forming a utility company that will handle water issues in Luapula Province. The company will be known as Luapula Water and Sewerage Company. For places like Luapula where we do not have utility companies yet, the traditional approach of channelling grants through local authorities is still being used to improve the supply of water.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr L. J. Mulenga (Kwacha): Mr Speaker, will the hon. Minister indicate to this House the mechanism that has been put in place to follow up the utilization of the grants by the water utility companies. This is because, in most cases, funds that are supposed …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr L. J. Mulenga: Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Laughter

Dr Kazonga: Mr Speaker, indeed, we have a mechanism of monitoring and evaluating whatever is happening. To establish how particular disbursements are used, general audits are carried out. At the same time, we carry out technical monitoring and evaluation of whatever is being done. In this case, once we disburse the money to the respective water utilities, our officials make a follow up.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.{mospagebreak}

FOREIGN DOCTORS REGISTERED WITH THE MEDICAL COUNCIL OF ZAMBIA

381. Mr Katuka asked the Minister of Health:

(a) how many of the doctors registered with the Medical Council of Zambia were of the following nationalities:

(i) Congolese;

(ii) Cuban; and

(iii) Egyptian; and

(b) what the ministry’s general assessment of the doctors at (a) above was.

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, I would like to inform this House as follows:

Nationality Number

Zambian                 798

Chinese                 63

Congolese            199

Cubans                10
Egyptian                12

Uzbekistan           37

Indian 82

Sir, the total number of medical practitioners on register is 1,476.

Sir, I would like to inform this house that the Ministry of Health, in line with the Civil Service Conditions of Service, has put in place employee performance packages that endeavour to assess all employees annually, taking into account individual work plans that are set at the beginning of the year. Consequently, all doctors that may not meet the required performance are not given further contracts at the end of the assessment. Nevertheless, most of the doctors that have been engaged have proved to be qualified for the job.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

COMMENCEMENT OF THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAMME IN NANGOMA PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

382. Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma) asked the Minister of Energy and Water Development:

(a) when the Rural Electrification Programme would commence in Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency;

(b) how long the exercise would take to complete ; and

The Minister of Energy and Water Development (Mr Konga): Mr Speaker, I would like to inform the House that according to the Rural Electrification Master Plan, the project package applicable to Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency in Mumbwa District is ranked number six out of the nineteen project packages in Central Province.

Accordingly, the estimated cost for the package of Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency is estimated at US$7 million. According to the plan, the project will start in the year 2013. Once the project has commenced, it will take a short time for the electrification exercise to be completed.

As regards the last part of the question, I am glad to inform the hon. Member and the House at large that a solar energy system was first installed at Senior Chief Shakumbila’s Palace on 5th June, 2006. This system was subsequently serviced by officers from the Rural Electrification Authority on the 26th February, 2008, during which period batteries and other accessories were replaced.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

OWNER OF THE BLUE LAGOON NATIONAL PARK IN NANGOMA PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

383. Mr Hamusonde asked the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources;

(a) who owned the Blue Lagoon National Park in Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency; and

(b) whether the local community benefited from the park and, if not, why.

Mr Chilembo: Mr Speaker, I would like to inform the House that the Blue Lagoon National Park in Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency is owned by the State and is managed by the Zambia Wildlife Authority on behalf of the State just like any other national park in Zambia.

Sir, the local communities living in Game Management Areas surrounding the park benefit from the park if there is an investor in that park. This is through employment opportunities. As for the Blue Lagoon National Park in Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency, communities used to benefit when the investor, Trully-Hon, who has since left the park, was there. Currently, the Government, through my ministry, is looking for investors to invest in this park so that communities can continue enjoying the benefits through employment opportunities from the park.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

RETURN OF THE ELECTRICITY GENERATOR DONATED TO MWANJABANTU CLINIC IN 1998

384. Mr C. K. Banda, SC asked the Minister of Energy and Water Development when the Government would return the electricity generator which the European Union had donated to Mwanjabantu Clinic in 1998.

Mr Konga: Mr Speaker, to date, my ministry has no records of ever collecting a generator donated by the European Union from Mwanjabantu Clinic. However, it would be greatly appreciated if the hon. Member of Parliament could provide me, my ministry or the Government with detailed information on when and for what purpose the generator was collected from Mwanjabantu Clinic.

As soon as we receive this information from the hon. Member, my ministry will make a follow up on the matter and ensure that the generator is returned to Mwanjabantu Clinic.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr C. K. Banda, SC: Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister tell the House whether this clinic received a donation of a generator between January 1998 and February, 1999.

Mr Konga: Mr Speaker, based on what the hon. Member has just informed the House, I need to go and investigate whether Mwanjabantu clinic was given a generator between those two dates.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

NUMBER OF PROFESSIONAL HUNTERS CURRENTLY IN THE COUNTRY

385. Mr C. K. Banda, SC asked the Minister of Tourism Environment and Natural Resources:

(a) how many professional hunters the country had currently;

(b) of the professional hunters at (a) above, how many were Zambian citizens; and

Mr Chilembo: Mr Speaker, there are fifty-eight registered professional hunters in the country.

Sir, out of the fifty-eight professional hunters above, twenty-nine are Zambian citizens.

Mr Speaker, Zambians are encouraged to apply for and run hunting concessions. Currently, there are some Zambians who run hunting concessions while others have partnered with non-Zambians.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr C. K. B. Banda, SC: Mr Speaker, may the hon. Minister inform the House how many hunting concessions are run by non-Zambians and how many are run by Zambians. Secondly, can he inform this House which lucrative hunting concessions have been granted to Zambians.

Mr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, I am unable to give the number of concessions run by foreigners off the cuff. However, we have already said how many are run by Zambians. I wish to confirm to the hon. Member that all our concessions are lucrative.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker: Notice of Motion.

Mr Ntundu indicated to speak.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member is too late.

Laughter
_______

MOTIONS{mospagebreak}

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON DELEGATED LEGISLATION

Mr C. K. B. Banda, SC (Chasefu): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that this House do adopt the Report of the Committee on Delegated Legislation for the Second Session of the Tenth National Assembly, laid on the Table of the House on 6th October, 2008.

Mr Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

Mr Mooya (Moomba): Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

Mr C. K. B. Banda, SC: Sir, in accordance with their terms of reference, your Committee scrutinised various statutory instruments issued by various Government authorities.

During their deliberations, your Committee were concerned about the delays by relevant authorities in submitting statutory instruments to Parliament for ratification.

Mr Speaker, the Government must realise that the legislative function of the Republic vests in Parliament. As such, unless Parliament endorses or ratifies a statutory instrument, its legality remains questionable. It is for this reason that the Committee were saddened to learn that, in certain cases, statutory instruments issued a year ago had not been submitted to Parliament. In other cases, although statutory instruments were submitted to Parliament, they were not accompanied by explanatory memoranda.

Sir, some of these instruments have a grave effect on the liberties of the citizens, yet they are implemented upon issuance. The Committee, therefore, urge the Government to look into this matter seriously. In future, this House will not allow any statutory instrument to take effect before it is ratified.

The second issue, Mr Speaker, concerns the pole levy which most local authorities in the country have imposed on service providers such as the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) and the Zambia Telecommunications Company (ZAMTEL).

The Committee were concerned that whereas Government policy with regard to the development of rural areas partly lies in the development of infrastructure, such as electricity and communication facilities, local authorities, through the issuance of pole levies, seem to be contradicting this policy. Pole levies are slowing down the electrification of rural areas. In any case, when ZESCO pays the said levies, the cost is transferred to the consumer, thereby putting the service out of reach for many people. It is the Committee’s view that the Government should ensure harmony in its operations with local authorities.

In conclusion, Sir, let me thank permanent secretaries that made submissions on various statutory instruments issued by their respective ministries.

Further, on behalf of the Committee, I wish to thank you, Mr Speaker, for your guidance during the Committee’s deliberations.

Lastly, I am indebted to the office of the Clerk of the National Assembly for the services and advice rendered during meetings of the Committee.

Mr Speaker, I beg to move.

Mr Speaker: Does the seconder wish to speak now or later?

Mr Mooya: Now, Sir.

Mr Speaker, in seconding the Motion, allow me to thank the Chairperson for ably moving the Motion. Since the Chairperson has covered most areas that caught the Committee’s attention during their deliberations, I wish to comment only on one issue of concern to your Committee.

Sir, your Committee toured Mufumpa Game Management Area in Kaoma District in Western Province. The Government issued Statutory Instrument No. 43 of 2008 in order to establish this Game Management Area. The main reason for its establishment was to protect wildlife from illegal hunters, particularly in the Kafue National Park. The Committee visited three traditional rulers affected by the creation of this GMA.

Mr Speaker, the Committee learnt that the consultations between the Government and the stakeholders, especially the chiefs, were not exhaustive. For example, Senior Chief Amukena was not particularly pleased with the approach by the Zambia Wildlife Authority during the consultative process. In his view, the GMA was forced on the people whose livelihood depends on the farming areas located in the GMA.

Sir, it is your Committee’s view that the Government needs to appreciate that unless the local people attach a sense of ownership to a project or programme, that project or programme is bound to fail. It is, therefore, important that the Government takes measures to ensure that everyone in the GMA comes on board. Otherwise, the good intentions may not yield the desired results.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Any further debate? I hear or see none. The Hon. Member for Chasefu may wind up debate on his Motion.

Mr C. K. B. Banda, SC: Mr Speaker, I wish to thank, most sincerely, the hon. Members who have unanimously agreed …

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr C. K. B. Banda: … with the Report of the Committee on Delegated Legislation.

I thank you, Sir.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Question put and agreed to.

ADJOURNMENT

The Minister of Defence (Mr Mpombo): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

________

The House adjourned at 1550 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 12th November, 2008.

_______

WRITTEN REPLIES TO QUESTIONS

RESURFACING OF THE GREAT NORTH ROAD

375. Mr Malama (Mfuwe) asked the Minister of Works and Supply when the Great North Road would be resurfaced and tarred in order to reduce road traffic accidents.

The Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Simbao): I wish to inform the House that the ministry, through the Road Development Agency (RDA), has immediate intentions to improve the existing conditions of the Great North Road by first ensuring that there is no further deterioration of the road through surface treatment intervention to be followed by full maintenance of the road.

In August, 2007, a contract was awarded to Messrs. China Geo Corporation at a contract amount of K10,241,654,967 to carry out pothole patching and limited resealing of the section between Isoka and Nakonde which was badly potholed.

In 2008, advertisements for the tender to carry out periodic maintenance of the sections Serenje-Lukulu and Lukulu-Chinsali were placed in the local press. A tender was recently awarded to China-Henan for the Lukulu-Chinsali section. The Road Development Agency is still awaiting tender approval for the Serenje-Lukulu section from the Zambia National Tender Board (ZNTB). The works covered in the tender include improvement to drainage and drainage structures limited reconnection and resealing. The Great North Road is already tarred.

ALLOCATION OF VEHICLE TO MFUWE HEALTH CENTRE

376. Mr Malama (Mfuwe) asked the Minister of Health whether there were any plans to allocate a vehicle to Mfuwe Heath Centre to alleviate transport problems between the health centre and the district headquarters.

The Minister of Health (Dr Chituwo): Mr Speaker, I would like to inform the House that our records indicate that there is no health centre by the name of Mfuwe Health Centre in Mfuwe Parliamentary Constituency. However, Nabwalya Rural Health Centre is located 156 kilometres east of Mpika in the Luangwa Valley of the South Luangwa National Park in Mfuwe Parliamentary Constituency. The health centre caters for a population of 8,762 (as per Central Statistical Office) while the head count is 12,000. It is a hard and difficult area to reach in that the road is impassable during the rainy season as the Muinondo River has no bridge and a lot of seasonal rivers and streams in the valley are flooded.

In addition, the terrain, especially at Muchinga Escarpment, worsens the situation because vehicles have to go round the escarpment in the rocky road to reach the rural health centre.

Despite the hardships encountered in ensuring quality health services, Mpika District Management Team has put in place the following strategies:

(a) Patient Referrals

(i) Currently, patients are collected from Ntunta which is 50 kilometres from Nabwalya Rural Health Centre by the District Health Office. However, during the dry season, vehicles reach the rural health centre with difficulties.

(ii) In addition, the District Health Management Team (DHMT) has signed a contract with the Zambia Flying Doctors Services to evacuate the patients and conduct immunisation. However, this contract is limited to the dry season because the airstrip is flooded in the rainy season.

(iii) The DHMT has partnered with the Health Communications to provide transport for staff and Maternal and Child Health Activities during the dry season.

(b) Logistics and Supplies

The DHMT has devised a system of supplying, in advance, logistics and drugs for a period of six months during the rainy season for the continuity of health service delivery. In the dry season, the drugs and other supplies are taken by the District Health Office to Ntunta.

________

Search form

You are here

parliament.gov.zm